“Are nerve plants toxic to cats?” is a question many cat owners want to know. Contrary to its name, this plant is not poisonous when eaten or touched by cats. It might simply cause discomfort or mild gastric problems if your cat overeats it.
This guide will comprehensively explore how to take care of your cat and plant simultaneously.
Contents
Are Nerve Plants Toxic to Household Cats?
No, a nerve plant is not toxic for household cats unless too much is consumed. It can be placed around cats and is not known to produce any allergic reactions. Since cats are carnivores, overeating nontoxic plants will only cause digestive problems in them.
These plants are also known as Fittonias in the plant world. They are evergreen and perennial, blooming flowers every spring. Their leaves are oval in shape, deep green in color, and very intricately veined.
Most fittonia leaves have silvery veins on the foliage and are called white vein nerve plants. Some might have pink, red, white, or green colored veins like the mini veined nerve plant fittonia. Pets cats are strangely attracted to these leaves and might be tempted to try them out.
– When Cats Ingest a Nerve Plant
It is natural for curious cats to be attracted to this bright plant and to try to nibble on it. Eating a few bites of Fittonia leaves is no big deal, and the cat should be just fine afterward. However, we must remember that the digestive system of cats is not designed for digesting plant parts.
Issues will develop if a cat develops a peculiar liking for fittonia leaves and starts overeating them. The cat usually has an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Sometimes, cats only get abdominal cramps, and you will see the poor animal writhing in discomfort.
Another common sign that cats exhibit after overeating Fittonias is burning in and around the mouth area. Again, it will be uncomfortable and refuse to eat anything else. If you see your cat in pain and the Fittonia looks like it has lost a lot of leaves, it is easy to figure out what has happened.
– Fittonia Allergy or Poisoning
Fittionia is not known to produce any allergic reaction in cats. They are safe to grow and take care of inside the house, along with cats. The cat can touch, smell, and nibble on it safely without life-threatening complications like poisoning or airway compromise.
What to Do If the Cat Gets Nerve Plant Toxicity?
If the cat gets toxicity from eating a lot of nerve plants like Fittonia albivenis, immediately wash its face with water. Give dairy, like milk, yogurt, or cheese, to relieve abdominal cramps. If the condition persists or aggravates, contact your local vet immediately.
– Use Dairy Products for Discomfort
Dairy products are magical when it comes to providing relief against stomach discomfort. Initially, the cat might be unwilling to eat or drink anything because of abdominal cramps. You must gently coax it into drinking milk or eating cheese. Since mini green & white nerve plants are not toxic, the cat will immediately feel better after some dairy intake.
– Make It Throw Up
The stomach of cats is not designed to digest plant parts. This is why eating a fittonia plant might give them diarrhea even though the plant itself is nontoxic. Making the animal throw out the undigested plant will also provide immediate relief.
All cat parents must have a bottle of hydrogen peroxide tucked away for any such case. Give it a dosage of one teaspoon per pound body weight of the cat. Gently rub the cat’s stomach after giving it hydrogen peroxide until it throws up. Unlike humans, this chemical is not dangerous or toxic for cats and dogs.
– Have It Take Liquids
If the cat has been vomiting or experiencing diarrhea after eating the mosaic plant, it must be dehydrated. Hydrating the sick animal should be a top priority after relieving its discomfort. Place a container of water ahead of it so that it can drink slowly.
Otherwise, take a glass or a dropper and gently but forcefully pour water into its mouth. This will also end up washing the cat’s mouth and removing any nerve plant residue that might still be present in it. Any pain or burning in the mouth area will be relieved consequently.
– Take It to the Vet
Call the vet immediately if you feel like your pet cat is too sick to care for at home. Especially f the animal has been vomiting or passing loose stools a lot. This often leads to dehydration which can become life-threatening if not managed properly. Ensure you give the vet the correct information and the cat’s detailed medical history.
What Are Some Other Plants That Are Nontoxic to Cats?
Some other plants that are non toxic to cats besides fittonia plants are the spider, prayer, and calathea plants. Several species of succulents are also safe if eaten by cats or dogs. Peperomia, orchids, Boston fern, and African violets are popular flowering plants non toxic to cats.
– Spider Plant
This plant is famous for its unique ability to remove toxins from the surrounding air. It also increases the humidity of any indoor space where it is kept. The good news is that it is nontoxic to pets, and its leaves are safe if eaten accidentally.
It is also nontoxic to humans, and you can let babies explore it without any potential risk. They do not like direct sun and grow better in indirectly lit corners of the room. The average room temperature around 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit is perfect for them.
– Polka Dot Plant
This popular houseplant is nontoxic to humans, cats, and dogs alike. No part of this plant contains toxins like calcium oxalate, etc. It can extend up to three feet tall when kept outdoors under the right conditions.
Inside the house, this plant will rarely grow more than 10 inches tall. This plant’s unique selling point is the striking foliage with dot-like striations. The only constant care it requires is that its soil needs to be moist at all times.
– Prayer Plant
This plant is more commonly referred to as the Maranta plant. It has the most exquisitely colored variegated leaves that open and close according to a 24-hour circadian rhythm. This plant is safe to grow around cats because it produces no known allergies or toxicity in them.
– Calathea Plant
Calathea is a large genus of flowering plants; almost all are nontoxic to cats. These plants exhibit the fascinating ability to open and close their leaves according to the time of the day. This makes it a perfect plant to keep your cat occupied without risk of poisoning.
Calatheas have deep green leaves with purple undersides that become visible when the plant closes at night. Plant care is straightforward to carry out indoors. All these plants need is indirect sunlight, plenty of water, and a humid environment like the washroom or the kitchen.
– African Violet Plant
These warm-growing plants are perfect for growing in a house with pets, cats, and dogs. They are non toxic, whether the cat chews on their leaves or flowers. Their thick and velvety leaves do not even attract cats to taste or nibble on them.
These plants have the ability to bloom all year round and produce violently purple flowers. Hybrid varieties can also deliver flowers of other colors, such as pink, red, white, etc. Another reason why they are perfect indoor plants is that they thrive under partial or indirect light.
Conclusion
To sum up, all mosaic plants, whether the silver nerve plant or the pink veined one, are non toxic to cats.
- This plant’s leaves, stems, and flowers are all edible and well tolerated by cats if eaten in small amounts.
- If the cat overeats it, it will get an upset stomach and tummy cramps.
- Take care of the cat at home by giving it milk, cheese, and a lot of water. If the cat’s condition deteriorates, it is time to take it to the vet.
- Like the friendship plant and the date palm, this plant does not produce any allergic reactions in cats.
After reviewing our article, you know that a nerve plant is safe for cats. So, what is stopping you from ordering one right away?
References
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/nerve-plant
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